Another side of the whole Potter debate that I think is potentially being overlooked is that the eventual aim is to create an infrastructure where manager departures no longer have the seismic impact that they once did.
(I'll try and explain my thoughts a little better below ๐งต)
(I'll try and explain my thoughts a little better below ๐งต)
First and foremost, regardless of whether you think Potter is doing okay or underperforming. There was never a chance we were going to compete this year, especially not after the mass injuries and that's completely independent from whoever the manager is.
It's been discussed to death but we all know it's a squad filled with players who are ill-suited to the direction that we're headed. We've no like-for-like replacements for key players that are integral to the football we play. We've too many players who simply aren't good.
So with that said, the immediate priority shouldnt be on day-by-day results. That isn't to say that expectations/standards should be dropped completely but I reject the suggestion that bringing another manager in will see instant results without compromises to the long term goal
Compromises are kind of pointless at this stage, in fact I'd argue you only incur greater risks of breathing temporary new life into players who should have been gone long ago and set yourself back to square 1. It's only somewhat justifiable when you've something to fight for.
Where the focus should be (imo) is on what is being done above Potter, in terms of trying to create an infrastructure that enables continuity and consistency from the top down, meaning that certain cogs in the wheel can be replaced with negligible impact to the entire machine
Having a manager who is perfectly aligned with that work is critical to have from the outset but there's an argument that Potter is helping build a system that ultimately he could be phased out of if he fails to grow at the same speed of the club.
If there's a moment in the future where it's clear the surrounding issues with the squad/club have been remediated and Potter is still struggling to deliver at the required level then you can look to replace him without the compatability issues we've seen in the past.
Essentially the hope is that somebody comes in with the same philosophies and approaches to Potter and continues to deliver on that (De Zerbi at Brighton currently is a real time example of this).
My personal belief is you'll never get to that position with the likes of Tuchel.
My personal belief is you'll never get to that position with the likes of Tuchel.
Or any other elite manager who's remit is focused on immediate results with little regard to long term development.
Which by the way, isn't a criticism of those managers at all, but absolutely isn't where we are at as a club right now.
Which by the way, isn't a criticism of those managers at all, but absolutely isn't where we are at as a club right now.
I also think we're kidding ourselves to think that a manager comes in, with this squad (injuries included) and delivers anything spectacular.
You may well see a small uptick in results and reduction in the mistakes GP is making but we all know where our current ceiling is.
You may well see a small uptick in results and reduction in the mistakes GP is making but we all know where our current ceiling is.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's somewhat ironic that we're looking at a managerial change to completely change our fortunes when the work that's being done by the new ownership (Potter inc.) is trying to limit the need/importance of single personel changes to do this
In addition, there's no real long term damage being done by keeping Potter in role either, so the rush to pull the trigger and get rid before you can judge him in a more ideal environment is overly hasty in my opinion.
So many of these players will be gone, so much will change.
So many of these players will be gone, so much will change.
As a final point, this isn't to defend Potter, or say he's flawless/the perfect man for us and should be granted impunity.
Rather call out that a change in personel at this point is somewhat pointless, if not detrimental, to the more important work being done above him.
Rather call out that a change in personel at this point is somewhat pointless, if not detrimental, to the more important work being done above him.
Loading suggestions...